Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Who Is Your God?


It seems that at of late I have ran across many blogs dealing with the issue of Christianity vs. Paganism.  I have read and commented on most of these writings yet truly do feel inspired to write my own.  Thus here goes.  I know that this is an extremely sensitive subject to both sides as well as to those who feel somewhat stuck in the middle.  I think I feel my empathy for the middle people the most as they are not truly accepted by either side entirely.  Somewhat like being a mixed spiritual follower.... You are not considered Christian and you are not considered Pagan.  I remember when I first decided to start Mother Moon.  This is one of the issues that drove me to see its need.  I grew up in Rural Oklahoma.  One can not get anymore Bible belt than that.  There was a Southern Baptist church on every corner.  Ok I am embellishing the truth somewhat but you get what I mean.    Alternative beliefs were something that were greatly shunned upon and anyone known to be dabbling in such things was immediately marked.  No you didn't necessarily have a  W plastered on your chest but being a small town the word got around... And the bad thing about the word getting around anywhere is that it never is the same two times in a row. 

I did not grow up in what would be considered a "church home" yet it was the church where I received much of my early belief system.  I will say this, that although I grew up in the church, I questioned it constantly.  Especially when I realized that people were telling me one thing and they themselves were doing the opposite.  At an early age (4 to be exact) I started to question everything that was told to me.  I did not accept anything based simply on the fact that it was what my Sunday School teacher told me.  I wanted to understand it for myself.  I wanted to experience it for myself.  I wanted to live it myself.  I wanted it to be personal and mine. 

Eventually due to this thought process and the fact that I had come to conclusions that were not in tune with their teachings I fell away from the "church" yet not necessarily away from God.  I do not claim to know what is the truth and what is not.  I do not think anyone can.  I do know though that this world is too vast and intricate to not have a creator.  Or at least that is my thought process. 

My God has been with me since I can remember.  I have received comfort, wisdom, solace, strength, and so much more from my God.  I have been shown my God best through nature and all that surrounds me that is true and real.  Not made from man's hands or even from his mind. Although I will say that there has been some grand inventions and words and music wrote that stir my soul to no end.  I experience my God best when I am in nature.  The trees speak to me as only they can.  The wind cradles me and rocks me gently.  Tears fall from the sky to cleanse me as well as to invigorate me.  The sun shines on me and warms my soul.  This is my God.  The animals as they frolic in the woods, the flowers as they bloom and lend their fragrance to the day.  The beauty of a clear clean night when the moon is full.  Sometimes my God is a she; a mother who holds me in her arms and gently sings me to sleep.  Sometimes my God is a man; who helps me to see the folly of my ways and lends wisdom to help be once again walk the right path. 

I do not claim to know or completely understand your God or their God, her God, or his God.  Yet I beleive that as real as my God is to me... yours is likewise to you.  We all walk our own path in an attempt to take that journey that only we ourselves can truly take.  No one is capable of doing it for us then telling us this is how it is.  We must experience it on our own.  I can not see why anyone would want one to do it for them and then miss out on the delight of the experience.  I am not sure what to call myself... I only know that I am a believer..... And it is like I always say... Believing is half way there. 

13 comments:

Rue said...

Beautiful post.

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful post. I couldn't agree with you more. Grabbed your button too :)

Wendy said...

I think this is lovely and agree with what you said. We have to experience this on our own. :)

Anonymous said...

Janie...
After your comments (on both of my blogs) on my posts about Christian/Witches...I knew that you had more to say...thank you for saying this...
Really...do you have to call yourself anything?
If a "title" doesn't sit well with you...don't give yourself one...it isn't necessary to be labled.
You know what you feel...that's what counts.

I know that I can be a little glib about things because I am secure in my beliefs...but I do understand how difficult it can be for others.

I hope you didn't think that I was trying to offend you or other people...when I showed the "Christian Blog"...on my post...this was never my intention...I just wanted others to see what I had found on my trawl through the internet...when searching for witchy things...I would have rather not seen it...but that wouldn't mean it wasn't there.

I love the comments that you leave on my blogs...they are the true thoughts about being or having been a Christian...if there were more like you...instead of the ones on that awful blog then Christianity itself would have a lot to teach people...and a lot more to offer people who needed guidance...just like the young man who wanted to marry a witch...
Thank you Janie.

Mother Moon said...

Oh Celia...your thoughts and words are in no way offensive to me.... I have grown to truly cherish your views. I love your passion and the manner you stand up for your beliefs. You bring things to light that others are scared to speak of. That is far from a bad thing. Plus it is just a soap box of mine that started a long time ago...even before I labeled myself Pagan.

Laurie said...

What a beautiful post. I am sure I am not considered a Christian by many ~ I am one of those who fall in between. I was raised Catholic and although there are aspects of the Church I love (devotion to Mother Mary) there are many aspects I disagree with.
I love how you describe your God.
Thank you for this post.
Hugs))

Heather said...

Hello from a fellow Okie! Very thought-provoking post. Faith is a very interesting matter here in our part of the world, isnt it? I've found many times that it was more of a social event...to get your week's worth of gossip...and I am totally baffled by the new "go meet up and watch church on tv" events that are now all the rage. I prefer a quieter, more personal faith....
but to each his own, I suppose ;)

Mother Moon said...

Love the way you put it Heather... so true... so true....

Jennifer MacNeill said...

Nicely written. I feel the same way:)

Heather S-G said...

Beautifully put. I often find myself caught "in the middle" of labels. Like you, I know where I stand and am very comfortable with that...but my beliefs are so personal to me, that it makes my head spin to actually think about labels. I wish that everybody could be confident enough in their faith...no matter what it is...to let those who believe differently just believe. Does that make sense? Find that golden thread of wisdom that winds its common thread through every "religion" or "belief" and coexist in peace. I'm a dreamer. :)

The Silver Age Sara said...

I have to tell you I cried when I read this for your words described me. Not comfortable in the dogma of the church and searching for answers beyond and finding them in nature. The light that touches your soul when you experience the divine is amazing despite what you call yourself.
We are each on our own journey.
Thank you for such beauty.

JoyceAnn said...

Beautiful post , you spoke for my soul too.

~ Happy October Blog Party ~

Bridgett said...

Wow.

This was simply poetic. And so heartfelt.

And so TRUE!

)o(
boo